The consortium hoping to take over ailing Darlington Football Club last night moved a step nearer its goal.

The local businessmen, working in conjunction with the Supporters Trust, have firmed up their plans.

Supporters Trust spokesman Tony Taylor said today: "We're now well advanced with our business plan, and anticipate meeting the administrators' mid-February deadline."

Meanwhile, a public meeting to discuss the future of the club - which has such crippling financial problems that it could close next month - will be held tonight (7.30) at Central Hall, adjoining the Dolphin Centre.

And it is clear that the more people that attend, and join the Trust, the better the club's survival prospects.

However, insurance millionaire Brooks Mileson remains in the frame to take over.

But neither potential buyer will know how they stand until the full debts are known.

And that revelation will move a step nearer this week, for a date has been set for the first meeting for creditors.

The Sheffield-based administrators running the club have ruled that the initial meeting for creditors will be held on Thursday at the Reynolds Arena at 11.30am.

Creditors wanting to vote at the meeting have until noon tomorrow to submit details of their claim to the administrators at 289 Abbeydale Road South, Sheffield, S17 3LB.

The Gazette understands that the meeting may take place at the same time as a hearing at Teesside County Court where Darlington FC chairman George Reynolds is expected to give evidence about his business dealings.

Mr Reynolds was due in court last November but he pulled out of the public examination hearing at the last minute, saying he was ill and that his legal team was not ready.

The hearing was called after Shildon based Vertex Panel Products was put into administration in December 2002.

Ten months earlier, George Reynolds UK Ltd (GRUK) chipboard factory at Shildon was sold to Vertex.

The knock-on effect of Vertex going into administration was that GRUK was forced into liquidation.

The Official Receiver is investigating what happened and plans a public examination of Mr Reynolds at Teesside County Court over the matter.

Meanwhile, top names - including some associated with Boro - will play in a fund-raising match at the Reynolds Arena on Sunday (1pm).

Paul Gascoigne is expected to play, while Bernie Slaven and Jim Platt, will turn out, along with the likes of Kenny Dalglish, Ally McCoist and Chris Waddle.